1 Nothing But A Dream

"Good morning everyone and thank you for giving me the opportunity to exhibit my abilities today. My name is Kromulus Bharkat and I would like to participate in the guardian selection"

Early in the morning, a boy named Krom had woken up early in order to participate in the yearly tournament held within the village of Krahka. The tournament is held by the warriors of the village to find strong and capable young men so that they would hone them in the craft of war.

Krom was a very optimistic young boy. Standing strong at the age of 18, he had already trained his body to near perfection and his skills in combat to an unrivaled peak. On the day of his 16th birthday, he had vowed to himself that he would protect his village no matter what.

That was how the village worked. The men would become strong warriors while the women would be the core of their strength. As this tradition has been passed down for multiple generations, Krom would naturally be inclined to become strong just like his father.

The head chief of the village and a capable warrior, that is his father. His name is known all across the lands and has never been defeated.

Krom looks up to his father and wants to become strong and powerful just like him. He wants the strength not for power, but for the strength to defend the village.

And so Krom decided that today, he will prove to his father that he is capable of becoming a man of worth.

"Kromulus Bharkat, step forth"

Boom!

A loud, thunderous voice pierced the very heart of Krom. As he steps forth nervously, he curled up his hands into a fist and resolutely stands proud.

"Release the shadow tiger"

Clank

The sound of chains crackling could be heard in the distance. As it got closer, the sound of the chains became more audible and the figure of a two meter tiger appeared before the stage.

Roooooar!

The large tiger roared fiercely and a shockwave erupted onto the stage.

Crack!

The chains that had binded the tiger was broken. The tiger circled the stage while looking down on Krom. Without faltering, he stood still at the center of the stage with his sword in his hand.

Slash!

In the blink of an eye, the tiger had rush forth and pounced at a terrifying speed. The large, ominous fangs of the tiger was inches away from sinking it's teeth inside of Krom's neck.

All of the participants as well as those who are mere observers looked away for the undoubted inevitable.

Just when everyone had thought Krom was done for, a loud cry woke everyone up.

Ouuuuuu!

The tiger who had just pounced in the middle of the stage was now separated into ten discernable pieces.

A puddle of blood could be seen beneath Krom. On his face drips the blood of the tiger slowly and steadily as he steps outside of the stage. No one would be able to figure out who's figure that is with the thick blood covering his face but everyone knew it was the young boy named Krom.

"""OHHHHH!!!"""

Loud cheers echoed throughout the whole arena as the boy named Krom came out victorious. All those people that wanted to look away at first now could no longer keep their gaze away from him.

"Well done Kromulus Bharkat. You have done well my son"

The man in charge of the tournament no longer cared for his position as the chief. He simply wanted to congratulate his son for his victorious outcome.

"Thank you father.."

They both looked at each other. Only those words left their mouth for they already know that nothing else needs to be said.

Krom received a medal and left the arena.

"Next!"

A flood of participants became excited as they roar ferociously during their fight. Krom didn't look back. He simply walked out of the arena with his head tall and his chest proud.

While walking towards his own house, he came across someone very familiar and intimate with him.

"Congratulations Krom. I knew you could do it.."

The girl in front of him teared up and embraced him tightly.

"Sorry for scaring you Kayla"

"Mn.."

"I won't ever do anything to scare you like that anymore"

"Mn…"

Krom held her face gently and stared into her eyes endearingly. His long, slender hands wiped the tears off of her beautiful face.

"So please don't cry. Whenever I see you in pain, my heart sinks to the very bottom of an endless abyss"

He lifted her chin and kissed her ever so gently.

"Mn.. As long as you're safe then that's all that matters"

"I've been placed to become a guardian so I won't be in any danger"

Krom smiled at her endearingly.

"I won't have to be sent out so I won't be in any particular danger"

"But still.."

"No buts. You promised to spend the rest of the day with me today!"

Krom picked her up and held Kayla with both of his arms. After walking for a minute, he had reached his house and placed Kayla down.

"Mou.."

They enjoyed each other's company for the rest of the day and held each other in their embrace to dissolve the night away.

As the night passed, Krom was still awake while being embraced by Kayla. He had remembered his promise on his 16th birthday. Not only would he protect the village, he would also become strong enough so that he could protect the one he loves and cares for.

He looked towards the peacefully sleeping Kayla and smiled endearingly. Krom closed his eyes and went back to sleep.

(*)

"Everyone! Wake up!"

Bang!

When the morning rose, incredibly loud noises and trembles woke up both Kayla and Krom. Being used to this situation, Krom instantly stood up and equipped his leather armor and placed his sword in his waist.

"Please stay safe.."

"Don't worry, I'll be back soon. Those demons just won't stay back.."

Day after day, the village would be under the attack of demons and beasts. Some have been incredibly strong and powerful but the village managed to survive and pass the ordeals.

Today will be the same. This was what Krom had thought to himself. Even though his situation has allowed him to mature far quicker than those of the same age, in the end, he's still a boy who wants to impress his girl.

He walked outside of his house proudly and answered the call of the village.

"Krom, you've arrived"

Krom walked towards the entrance of the village and came across someone he knew since childhood.

"Ya. What's the situation"

"Just the usual vermins. Nothing we haven't handled before"

"Do we need to dispatch?"

"No need. Look"

Krom was standing on top of a watchpost by the gates. When he looked down, he saw the elders of the village already taking care of the monsters.

He sighed of relief. Krom had thought that his father and the others had already left but it seems like the scouts and warriors are still here.

His father, the strongest person without a doubt is about to set off once again and bring back fame and glory. Krom knew that he didn't simply did it for fame. He knew it was to keep the village safe.

As he look at his father proudly, he saw a group of people beyond the horizon. They were wearing incredibly expensive armors and had large, intimidating weapons.

They were close enough for them to see us but they seem to not pay any attention here.

"Who are they.."

"People from a different village?"

As Krom and his friend Kar look at each other with confusion, the mysterious men eventually came closer.

…

"What are they doing?"

"It seems like they're fighting monsters"

"But why? They were sleeping so what purpose do they have for attacking them?"

"How should I know how the other villagers think.."

Krom looked at Kar and became dissatisfied with his questions.

The elders along with Krom's father stood still in the gate for trouble might come forth.

Krom and Kar stood still as well looking over their actions.

"Oh they're coming here"

"Mn"

He no longer paid any attention to Kar and simply looked at the armed men.

"Halt! What intentions do you have for coming to our grounds!"

The village chief's voice boomed throughout the whole area. Even those who were still asleep had eventually woken up from the thunderous voice.

"Oy Blake, do you remember there being a village near the starting area?"

"Nope"

Krom was left speechless after the mysterious men ignored the chief.

"I'll ask once again! State your business or leave immediately!"

Boom!

The chief's voice erupted into a fury. Krom was slightly scared because of how angry his father was. He only witnessed his father's fury once and it almost ended his own life.

He didn't want to remember it so he shook his head vigorously.

"Ah this fucking guy is so annoying"

Slash!

Blood spurted everywhere. A puddle of blood eventually took forth and the head of the village chief landed on the ground.

…

Silence filled the air.

Krom sucked in cold air as he was shocked with disbelief.

He wondered what had happened. Was he dreaming?

"Aaa!"

Countless screams filled the air as more of his tribesmen fell down with blood dripping down from their body. Eventually, the gates had now become a bloody mess.

"You bastards!!!"

Krom had woken up from his disbelief and rushed forward.

"You bastards!"

"Village chief no.."

"Everyone follow Krom!"

All of those that witnessed what had just happened woke up and charged forth. They followed Krom who was ahead of everyone and pulled out their weapons.

"Ah Jake look what you did.. You aggroed almost all of them.."

"Haha oh well. They're just level 3 so who cares?"

Slash!

Krom pulled out his sword and dashed towards the man in front.

Bang!

He got sent flying away but Krom immediately stood up and charged forward.

"Oh! This one is actually level 6!"

"Stop messing around"

"Ok~ [Vortex Slash]!"

The man shouted out something when all of the sudden, his sword illuminated and a green energy bursts forth and smashed into Krom's chest.

Guo-

Krom spat out a mouthful of blood and flew away.

Strong.. These people are incredibly strong..

This was what Krom had thought while being blown away.

"Ah!"

"No.."

"Save me!"

When Krom opened his eyes, he saw the rest of his tribesmen being slain one by one. There were a total of five of these men but all it took was two of them to defeat all of the strongest warriors in these villages.

"What.. the hell is this.. Father.."

Krom tried to stand up but it was useless. He was bleeding far too much and his vision is fading away steadily.

He tried to drag his half unconscious body towards the village.

"There's still one alive you know"

"He's already on the ground.. It's such a pain now"

"I agree"

"Yosh! Let's clear this area. They should at least give us some exp and loots"

As Krom dragged his bloodied body, he heard those words. He did not have the luxury to question what these words meant but it was far too weird.

Why did they come here?

What purpose did they have?

"Ahhh!"

"Save me!!!"

"Please help!"

"At Least spare my children! Please!"

Krom no longer knew what was happening but the cries for help rang clearly into his head.

Damn it..

I said to myself that I would become strong enough to defend my people..

What the hell.. Why did this happen.. What did we ever do to you..

Krom eventually reached the entrance of the gate. He lifted his battered head up slowly and grief and terror filled his heart.

Countless heads and bodies littered the once bright village. Pools of blood was splattered everywhere and the screams of his tribespeople eventually dispersed.

Total silence.

He could no longer hear the cries of anyone. Only the stench of blood and death filled the air.

"Ahh.. Ahhhhh!!! AHHHHHHH!!!!"

Why.. Why is this happening..

Please tell me this is a dream.. Come on everyone haha.. Old man Gin! What have you been up to huh? Still in trouble with your missus?

Kar! What a fantastic morning right! Come on! We need to hurry up or the training gear will be taken again.

Father, good morning. I know you will bring glory and fame to our village once more. And I can keep my head proud knowing that I have such a strong and reliable father.

Kayla..

"Ahh!"

The sound of a woman's voice disrupted the cold silence.

Kayla!

Krom opened his eyes and saw his beloved being dragged by the hair. Her skin was filled with bruises and cuts while her clothes have been ripped off. Tears fell down from her once beautiful face as her eyes looked like that of a lifeless fish.

"Kayla!"

He yelled to the best he could but she could not hear him.

"You bastards! Unhand her!"

"Ugh this one is so damn annoying"

Bang!

One of the men came and kicked Krom flying away.

"Hehehe she's not bad actually. Let me have some fun with her"

The man ripped her clothes even further and continued to grope her.

"Unhand her you filthy beast!"

Krom yelled but his voice no longer reached anyone.

"Have some shame Jake. They're npc's for gods sake. Let's just leave already"

"Hmm.. I guess you have a point"

Slash!

Kayla's head rolled down and eventually fell beside Krom's lifeless body.

Ah..

Kayla..

Ahh..

AHHHHH!!!

Kayla!! No! Why! Why did this happen!

Kayla! Why!!!

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

Krom cried out as his chest is filled with indescribably pain and grief.

"Uwa, this npc is so gross. Did they add a new function or something?"

"I've never heard of an npc crying before"

"Just kill him already"

"Ehhh.. So troublesome.. My inventory is already full so there's no point"

"Everyone let's leave. The schedule to clear the dungeons is in an hour"

"""Ok~"""

The five men eventually left.

Silence, grief, and the stench of death filled the village that Krom grew up in.

The once bustling village is now reduced to silence. With Krom being the only one left alive.